DUSD Food Services Director Honored

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Billy Reid AwardThe Produce for Better Health Foundation honored recipients of the Fruits & Veggies – More Matters® Industry Role Models for 2013. Denair Unified School District’s very own Director of Food Services, Billy Reid, was among the esteemed select few to receive the honor as Salida Unified School District’s Director of Food Services. Denair USD currently contracts with Salida USD for Mr. Reid’s services.

The outstanding efforts of these individuals were formally acknowledged at an awards luncheon held on March 18, 2014, during The Consumer Connection, the Produce for Better Health Foundation’s Annual Conference in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Elizabeth Pivonka, President and CEO of PBH stated, “PBH is pleased to recognize such a diverse group of companies from the fruit and vegetable industry for their respective efforts to increase fruit and vegetable education, awareness, and consumption which helps to strengthen our collective work toward a healthier America.”

April Vendors in the Park

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April 2014 Vendors in the ParkThe next Denair Vendors in the Park is scheduled for Sunday, April 27, 2014, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. Join them for a great community Arts & Crafts Festival, in Sterling Ranch Park, the corner of Salluce Drive and McCauly Drive.

Vendor Information

Cost: $24 and a small fun raffle donation of $5 value (discount if prepaid at least two weeks prior to event date) All independent consultants, such as Mary K., Scentsy, etc., that sign up to hold a spot must prepay in that time, or spots will be released at the two week mark due to the fact that they only allow one representative per specific company.  All arts and crafters may either take advantage of the discount to prepay or pay the day of the event.

Space: You will have a space that is as big as your pop up, up to 12’x12′. Some spots are deep and you may utilize this extra room. If you would like a double space, please make arrangements with Mel DeSouza prior to set up so that she can accommodate this request, for an additional fee.

All vendors and crafters must sign a Vendor Contract and a Hold Harmless Agreement from Stanislaus County. They will be available at the event to print, as well as the Denair Vendors in the Park page in the notes section, for you to send in with your payment.

Set up will begin at 8:00 am and the show begins at 10:00 am. Tear down will be after 3pm. You may stay later if you wish, but please make arrangements if you will need to leave early as you will be assigned an outter spot so as to not disturb the show or neighboring vendors.  Non profit, Community Service, or Animal Adoption, Rescue or Awareness booths are still free! Spread the word!

Katelynn Lawson Among FFA Scholarship Finalists

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Katelynn LawsonUnlike most of her FFA peers, Katelynn Lawson did not grow up on a farm or ranch. Her father is a businessman in Ceres; her mother is a teacher in Turlock.

“I have an accidental life in agriculture,” said Katelynn, a senior at Denair High School, who was one of six nominees this year for a statewide FFA scholarship.

Katelynn, 18, may not come from traditional agricultural roots, but that has not diminished her enthusiasm. She has shown rabbits and pigs at the Stanislaus County Fair and at national shows the past four years. She has been the FFA president at Denair High School the past two years while taking every ag-related class taught by teacher and FFA adviser Bill Douglas.

“She’s definitely taken a strong interest in agriculture and that’s not always there for students who don’t have a family connection to a farm,” said Douglas.

Katelynn’s activities don’t stop with her affinity for ag. She’s been a Girl Scout for 13 years, a cheerleader at the high school and is the student representative on the Denair Unified School Board.

“She is very outgoing, very involved in the campus,” said Denair High Principal Aaron Delworth. “She’s very mature and confident. I think what we’re seeing from her right now is just tip of iceberg. She’s going to go a long way in life.”

Though Katelynn was not among the award winners announced Sunday night at the 86th California State FFA Leadership Conference in Fresno, she already has one scholarship in her pocket – $1,500 from the Turlock Chamber of Commerce. She intends to use it next year just down the road at California State University, Stanislaus. Her focus in college?

“I applied as a business major,” he said, “hopefully with a focus on ag.”

Denair High School Wrestling Coach Honored

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Don HelnoreWhen Don Helnore took over the wrestling program at Denair High School six years ago, he had three athletes on his team. Two of them were girls. He knew he needed rekindle interest and recruit students, or the sport was in danger of being eliminated.

Fast forward to this past season. There were 21 athletes on the team – all freshmen, sophomores and juniors. The Coyotes finished third in the very competitive Southern League. Six wrestlers advanced to sectional or regional competition.

The work Helnore has done to rebuild the program has gained respect and attention. The Southern League coaches voted him Coach of the Year this season – an award that most often goes to the league champion. More importantly, there is enthusiasm and energy associated with wrestling that was not there before Helnore was hired.

“He’s worked extremely hard at turning around our program. There were not a lot of students when he took over,” said Denair Principal Aaron Delworth.

Helnore said he was able to convince 11 students to resume or take up wrestling in his first year. He also has developed a strong feeder program at Denair Middle School. In most years, six to 10 freshmen join the high school wrestling team.

“He’s spent a lot of time involving the middle school kids and building a program that goes right into high school,” praised Athletic Director Steve Doerksen. Continue reading “Denair High School Wrestling Coach Honored” »

Denair Week of the Young Child Festivities

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Week of the Young Child LogoDenair Unified School District will be celebrating Week of the Young Child, Friday, April 11, 2014, with a festival for their youngest students. Denair Elementary Preschool and Kindergarten students will enjoy a concert by Oklin Bloodworth, a children’s performer, beginning at 9:15, in the Elementary Cafeteria. Immediately following the music performance, festival activities will continue on the kinder/Preschool Playground with fun activities for students, including face-painting, bubble blowing cups, mural painting, an obstacle course, and musical instruments.

The Week of the Young Child is an annual celebration sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the world’s largest early childhood education association, with nearly 80,000 members and a network of over 300 local, state, and regional Affiliates.

The purpose of the Week of the Young Child is to focus public attention on the needs of young children and their families and to recognize the early childhood programs and services that meet those needs.

NAEYC first established the Week of the Young Child in 1971, recognizing that the early childhood years (birth through age 8) lay the foundation for children’s success in school and later life. The Week of the Young Child is a time to plan how we – as citizens of a community, of a state, and of a nation – will better meet the needs of all young children and their families.

In 2011, NAEYC celebrated the 40th anniversary of the Week of the Young Child™. For more information about the history of the event and the 40th anniversary read Week of the Young Child Turns 40!

Below are photos from the event.